Photo: Bro. Charles Brame, 32°, as he appears in
his performance of "The Living Lincoln"
From the moment of Abe Lincoln's
passing to the present, there has been much speculation as to
his membership in a religious denomination and the Masonic Fraternity.
There is little substantial evidence that he was a member of either,
but there is ample proof of his religion and his practicing of
those great moral virtues observed by all good Masons.
Abe's faith came from studying the Bible. In a conversation during the summer of 1864 with his good friend Josh Speed, he counseled: "…Speed, take all of this Book upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier man." During the same year, while receiving an ornate Bible as a gift from the Black residents of Baltimore, July 4th, 1864, he remarked: "In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it." In these quotations, Lincoln described the Bible's source and purpose beautifully while acknowledging Christ as our Savior.
Lincoln also believed works evidenced one's salvation, and his record of caring for those dispossessed and in need is well documented. He stated in a letter what he considered to be the proper earthly behavior of a Christian intent on getting into Heaven: "When brought to my final reckoning may I have to answer for robbing no man of his goods; yet more tolerable even this, than for robbing one of HIMSELF, and ALL that was HIS." Christ noted that we are known by our works. Similarly, Abe is known for his works, enhanced by his words.
Abe's theology never required that he be a member of a particular denomination, and this lack of church membership was not unique in his day. At that time, most Christians did not automatically join a church. Only about 23 percent of the population of this country were church members in 1860. The idea that it was impossible to be a Christian alone and that Christ is truly known only in a gathered fellowship was not very popular. Overwhelmingly, the people were Christians and attended church, but they did not necessarily become official members of a denomination with its required creeds and observances.
Abe's tolerance for all denominations and other religions was closely related to his position on church membership. At the beginning of the Civil War, most generals allowed only Protestant chaplains, which caused complaints from Catholics and Jews. Lincoln stopped such practices and issued executive orders requiring commanding generals to allow chaplains for Catholic and Jews. With the great onslaught of Black men in the military following the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, he again stepped in and issued orders for Black chaplains. According to Abe, all men are created equal by their maker and are entitled to seek salvation in their own ways.
What Abe said and practiced is consistent with what Masons have always observed. Members can come from any religious background, but they all must profess a belief in God and possess a sincere desire to serve all their fellow creatures. A majority of Masons in the United States are active Christians; others choose to anchor their salvation, as Abe did, on the Bible and good works, and some believe only in God. Masonry excludes no man because of his religion. Regardless of Abe's membership in a formal Church or a Lodge, he bequeathed to us all a model of behavior buttressed by his religious beliefs based on the Bible, the same book upon which all Masons are obligated and is "the rule and guide of our faith."